Positive stories of single parent holidays abroad please…

[LoneWolf777]

As the title says really, I’m hoping people will share their positive stories of single parent holidays abroad…

I’m a single parent to a 3 year old. I’ve taken them away alone on UK trips a few times, and on a short flight within UK, so I know I can travel & entertain them etc, no concerns there. I guess I’m just a bit wary about travelling abroad alone with them. To add, I have travelled abroad many times before I had my child, so the issue isn’t being abroad. It’s being abroad with my child alone, which is making me nervous, in case anything goes wrong…

I’ve just booked a week trip for us to a popular beach holiday destination in a few weeks time to celebrate a milestone birthday… But I’m waiting for the full excitement to kick in now!

Not sure what I’m nervous about really, think my anxiety is just getting the better of me.. I’m hoping hearing some of your stories, of how your trips went, will help build my confidence & excitement for this trip…

Thank you 😊

This may not be the same thing. I'm not a single parent but due to different annual leave years, I once found myself with a week of leave at half term that DH did not have. So I took both my DC aged then 6 and 10 abroad, by myself. It was brilliant - so much fun, and I was so proud for being brave. I did make the holiday deliberately easy all inclusive etc, short transfer. It felt like a mini adventure. Enjoyed it so much, lived having the kids to myself, and considering doing it again. My DH doesn't much like pools and beaches so it would work ok for us.

Go for it, think carefully about where to go and where to stay, but don't let the lack of an another adult to hold you back. Xx

Travelling alone with the kids was the best thing I ever did for them and me.

I was a single parent of a 7, 5 and 2 year old, it was scary the first time but once we did it there was no going back. We went on many many holidays just the four of us and they are such happy memories.

Top tips, pack light so less to wrangle at the airport, lower expectations, if they want to eat pasta all week then that’s fine, they are on holiday. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, someone to grab your case off the luggage claim for example or help to carry drinks whatever, people are generally happy to help.

I have taken one preschool aged (then primary school aged) ds on many, many European city breaks (either Eurostar or flying from UK) AND beach breaks in Malta, Lanzarote and Cyprus, all such fun. Couldn’t recommend it more.

You will be fine. I promise.

got little expectation, set the bar low, and anything is a bonus.

it will be exhausting, and if he’s anything like mine at that age will survive on cucumber bread chips and ice cream.

have a bit of a structure, plan a few little trips out even if it’s a walk into town for coffee/ice cream. Try and schedule an afternoon nap even if he doesn’t normally
nap the sun and pool will exhaust him, after siesta means you get a little peace and he’ll be in a lot better mood to go out for dinner at say 7pm.

I’ve done solo trips with my son since he was this age, everything from Blackpool/london/northumberland to Dubai/Cyprus and Spain.

we ate off to Langkawi and KL next week…. To celebrate his 18th birthday. I still panic about the trip the same as I did 15 years ago.., just for different reasons 🤣

I’ve been a LP since my ds was 1.

We’ve travelled abroad numerous times just the 2 of us and he has a physical disability and is autistic.

Just don’t over plan. Find somewhere with great kids activities and lots to do nearby.

A decent pool and near a beach.

Make sure you have lots of time for you to just chill as well as going out and about.

I use to book tickets for water parks etc online direct from the companies before I went so budget wasn’t an issue worrying about what could and could t afford whilst we were away.

I was never a single parent but frequently travelled with my dc alive when they were tiny due to living overseas and it really is fine, if anything easier because you aren’t having to constantly work out where the so called other responsible adult has wandered off to or deal with them not wanting to do the same thing as the kids! Disney world was ok too, did 2 days there solo before ex joined me because as usual “something came up”

I was widowed when the DC were little, so from when they were 4 and 8, holidays were just me and them. The first summer, I started as I meant to go on: Paris via Eurostar then sleeper train down to Florence and hired a car...

Over the years we did multiple European rail trips and trips to Japan, plus Cuba, USA, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong (a lot of those involved at least some time staying with family and friends, which helped), as well as more relaxed holidays like taking the car on a ferry to France and staying in a lodge on a campsite.

It is definitely do-able, mostly enjoyable and gets easier as they get older. Do lots of research about your destination (food, activities) but don't be too rigid, and don't insist on sticking to British bedtimes. Get them used to pulling their own mini wheeled suitcases as early as possible. And take a kindle and good headphones so you can read and listen to music after they are in bed without waking them up!

Solo parent holidays are the best! At 3 I'd focus on a easy access beach, long buffet breakfasts and splash pool area being readily available. But above all else, use the holiday club - a couple of hours down time for you each day to get a nap, or go to the spa, or get involved in an adult class like pottery, wine tasting or yoga, does wonders for the soul! And more often than not, they make friends - and sometimes you make a mum friend, particularly others travelling solo or with their mum. Don't stay in!

Thank you all so much for your stories! That’s definitely made me feel more comfortable now, and I’ve got some great tips from you all too..
I will definitely pack light, just one suitcase and a bag. I’m quite flexible with bedtimes on holiday and thankfully my little one still naps so I will have opportunity for a little nap too if needed..
The hotel has a lovely pool and separate splash pool for kids, and play areas so there will be plenty to keep them occupied. The beach is about 15 mins walk away, but there is a shuttle every 30 mins from the hotel so at least we can rely on that if needed at any point. It’s all inclusive so that will make sorting food and drinks much easier…
I was wondering what your thoughts are on bringing a pram? I don’t use the pram anymore, but mainly because I drive. My ex still uses the pram because he doesn’t drive, so it’s easier when doing longer walks.
I used the pram when doing that short flight with my child before, but my child was smaller then. But it did make it easier because I didn’t have to carry them at any point if they were tired. Would you bring a pram if you could? Would also mean they could nap in there and I could read a book in the hotel facilities rather than having to go back to the room… It is one extra thing to navigate, but also could make it easier for me at certain points, although day to day they are never in it…

Would you be open to a carrier? I have a big kid carrier for holidays, just so I can shove her on my back through the airport and for walking to the beach and back. If you can still give him a piggy back, it's easier than that...

I don’t think my back could take that unfortunately 🤣 but thank you for the suggestion.. 😊

Inspired by this thread. Thanks! I’m a single mum since DC was little, but haven’t braved anything abroad yet - have just booked the Eurostar to go to a few places in France though! Very excited. Hope you have a great time @LoneWolf777

Thank you.. I’m sure after your first trip abroad with your little ones, you will do more, like others posters have. I’m absolutely hoping it gives me the confidence to do it again and again! It’s what I’ve wanted for a while now, just the nerves stopped me. But, the trip is booked now, so we’re doing it. First of many I hope 😁

For a 3 year old I’d take a pram as somewhere to store everything and push them around - but then you will need to check your suitcase in at the airport as it’s difficult to manage hand luggage and a pram. I travel alone with my DD - I don’t allow her to bring her own suitcase as I’ll end up carrying it - ditto with a back pack . Definitely worth doing

I bought a travel folding pushchair that went totally flat with a big hood for screening our sun. My DC was younger than 3 at the time but it was a godsend for long airport walks and for evenings out. I was not all inclusive as like to go out to eat. You'll have a brilliant time, we have been all over together starting with Europe and more lately more adventurous now they are older.

Haha - fair enough! Definitely take a pram then.

And I hope you have a lovely time. I've never understood the "same shit, different location" holiday opinion. My small child loves nothing more than unlimited ice cream and swimming pool time, she finds hotel rooms so magical. I love being on holiday with her ☀️

Thank you again all. Think I’ll take the pram just to be safe…
And I agree re being relaxed with food. I’m pretty flexible with routines and eating when on holiday, even if that has just been in the uk so far.. As long as my little one is happy, and isn’t hungry, then I’m more than satisfied with that..
I’m actually starting to get excited now because I know my child will absolutely have the best time! And I will be glad I faced my fears, rather than missing out on an opportunity to build beautiful memories 🥰

When ds was that age I went to Poundland before the flight and bought a load of wee toys and plastic junk. I wrapped them up in wrapping paper, he got one every 1/2 hour on the flight, and one a night before dinner. Just wee cars or spinny things mostly.

was the best £20 I spent

Thanks, that’s something I will think of. Obviously I can’t be bringing lots of his toys from home because it’s extra weight, so some smaller cheap new bits will be a novelty and keep him going for the flight and at times we have to wait around like eating etc.. thank you 😊

I've always taken mine abroad on my own (well, started when they were 3 and 8). Camping and driving in France/ Spain and Interrailing. A couple of times the longer drives have been a bit much for me, but otherwise it's been great. DS1 and I have sometimes had massive arguments, but that's more to do with my his personality, and I cannot guarantee that things would have gone more smoothly with another adult in the mix- probably the opposite!

Make sure that you have all the ingredients for a good time when DC is asleep- balcony with a view or something, wine, good book etc.

you will have a great time. I took my kids away as a single mum when my youngest was three. We did a lot of euro camp and jet 2. Jet 2 was easier as they take care of everything for you

My trip is with jet2… I felt it was the right site to book with as it really is the full package deal and everything is sorted and booked in one go…
I’m planning to bring a couple of books, and stock up on snacks and wine for when we’re in the room away from all the excitement.
Reading a couple of the posts here about people recognising that actually having another adult there probably wouldn’t have made things better, has made me realise that I don’t actually need anyone else. The holiday is on my terms (*my 3 year olds terms 🤣), and I will be in the mode of handling it all, rather than expecting anyone to help but not receiving that… which is how day to day life is even during tough times, so that’s absolutely fine…
Think I was just overthinking about silly things, but everyone’s posts here has reminded me that I am capable. I’ve travelled alone many times, including abroad, and I do everything alone at home. So I can handle a trip away with my child absolutely fine…
Well, I can’t deny there won’t be crazy anxiety before we go 🤣 but for now I feel reassured and excited. So thank you again everyone that took the time to post x